ERSA Pro Stringer Magazine 4 - 2019 prostringer 4 -2019 web | Page 11

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INDUSTRY NEWS
“The ITF (International Tennis Federation) has
announced an agreement with the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) and the WTA
(Women’s Tennis Association) to optimise the structure of men’s and women’s professional
tennis. This will provide additional competitive opportunities and a clear and fair pathway for
talented players.
The agreement includes the allocation of ATP and WTA ranking points at $15,000 ITF World
Tennis Tour tournaments, additional ranking points at men’s $25,000 tournaments, as well as
increased playing opportunities with 48-player qualifying singles draws. Players’ rankings will be
updated with the new points allocations on 5 August 2019. These points will be applied
retroactively to all tournaments played since August 2018.
Updated men’s and women’s ATP/WTA rankings will be used for acceptances into ITF World
Tennis Tour events plus ATP Challengers and WTA 125K tournaments beginning the week of 26
August 2019.
ATP ranking points are to be awarded according to the following points table (singles and
doubles):
M25 - Singles
M25 - Doubles
M15 - Singles
M15 - Doubles
Winner
20
20
10
10
Finalist
12
12
6
6
Semi-fi nalist Quarter-fi nalist
6
3
6
3
4
2
4
2
Round of 16
1
1
WTA ranking points are to be awarded at $15,000 (W15) ITF World Tennis Tour events according
to the following points table:
Singles
Doubles
Winner
10
10
Finalist
6
6
Semi-fi nalist Quarter-fi nalist
4
2
4
2
Round of 16
1
For tournaments to increase from 32-player to 48-player Qualifying Singles Draw sizes, the
integrity implications of moving from seven to eight-day events were fully discussed with the
Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU). The TIU recognise the benefi ts of a balanced calendar that provides
additional playing opportunities, which along with other measures, will contribute to an improved
integrity environment for players.
To provide continuity to players, ITF ranking points will be awarded in $15,000 and $25,000
qualifying rounds and a player’s ITF ranking will continue to be valid for acceptance purposes
after ATP or WTA ranked players. Three reserved places in $15,000 tournaments for ITF top
100-ranked juniors will continue to facilitate entry into professional tennis for the best-performing
players at junior level.
The ITF’s agreement with the ATP and WTA has been reached to achieve the key objectives of a
clearly defi ned group of professional players and a structure that allows for smooth mobility.
Steve Simon, WTA CEO and Chairman said, “The WTA is pleased to work with the ITF in the
shared goal of developing a clear structure and pathway to provide for the competitive
opportunities and rewards needed for a Player to transition through the ITF World Tennis Tour in
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ERSA PRO STRINGER // ISSUE 4-2019